Ukrainian Troops to Receive Cash Rewards for Capturing or Eliminating Russian Forces

New Bonus System for Military Personnel

According to Главком: On June 12, 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved Resolution No. 768, introducing a revised system of financial incentives for members of the Defense Forces. Under this initiative, soldiers will be compensated for taking Russian troops as prisoners of war and for neutralizing enemy combatants during direct engagements. This policy aims to boost morale and operational effectiveness amid the ongoing conflict.

According to the updated framework, each enemy soldier captured alive will yield a payment of 100,000 Ukrainian hryvnias. If a capture is carried out by a group, the reward will be split proportionally among all participants. Additionally, personnel will receive 15,000 hryvnias per enemy combatant eliminated in small-arms or hand-to-hand combat, provided the action is documented on video.

Payment Procedures and Experimental Contracts

These supplemental payments will be processed based on a directive from the unit commander and disbursed alongside standard military salaries. The commander’s order must be issued by the 5th of the month following the qualifying actions, with funds reaching soldiers no later than the 20th of that same month.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine emphasized the rationale behind the system: 'We must replenish the exchange pool to secure the release of Ukrainians from captivity. Therefore, as a first step in transforming the Defense Forces, we are establishing additional rewards for capturing Russian soldiers.' - Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

Furthermore, on June 15, 2026, a separate Cabinet resolution took effect, introducing experimental contracts for military service. This document outlines three contract types:

• Infantry-assault contract: 10 or 14 months,
• Combat contract: 24 months,
• Basic contract: 24 months.

These changes are designed to enhance service efficiency and provide troops with the necessary conditions to fulfill their duties.

The rollout of this reward system could significantly impact the morale and performance of Ukrainian forces as the war continues. By leveraging financial incentives to encourage active engagement and improve the prisoner exchange fund for freeing Ukrainians, the state demonstrates its commitment to adapting military policy to current needs. The experimental contracts may also represent a crucial step in reforming military service, potentially attracting more personnel to operate under demanding conditions.

In addition to the newly introduced cash rewards for capturing or neutralizing enemy forces, the Ukrainian military is also adapting to evolving needs through the implementation of a new contract system for non-combat roles. This initiative, effective from June 15, 2026, aims to enhance personnel engagement and operational readiness across various military functions.